Almost half of used dealers (45%) say they have added cars from Chinese new entrants to their stock, according to new findings. February’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 45% say they sell quickly, 33% they represent good value and 20% buyers like the cars on offer. However, 37% of motor retailers are waiting to see how reliable they prove to be, 20% … [Read more...]
Features
Pass or fail could be down to timing
Experts at LeaseCar have crunched the latest DVSA figures to highlight the best and worst days to take driving tests across Great Britain. With waiting lists still stuck at a painful 22-week average according to the National Audit Office, picking the right time of day could be the difference between tearing up your L-plates and going through another six … [Read more...]
Deep freeze test for EVs and drivers’ knowledge
Over two days in January in Folldal, Norway, 24 of the newest electric vehicle models on the Norwegian market including the Audi A6 Avant, Ford Capri, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Tesla Model Y, were put to the test in extreme temperatures as low as -32°C. The test – the El Prix – is the world’s largest independent real-world EV test, designed to show global … [Read more...]
Aston Martin car plant workers facing cuts
Scores of jobs are on the line in Aston Martin's St Athan plant. The luxury sports car brand today announced a 20% cut in its 3,000 strong workforce in Britain, mostly at its Gaydon HQ and St Athan plants. Aston Martin has confirmed the firm's net losses jumped 52% last year to £493.2m. It has this month announced plans to raise some capital by … [Read more...]
Smart Charging to cut EV running costs
Despite growing adoption of electric vehicles, widespread misconceptions about cost and charging still shape public opinion. Recent research from the AA shows that 80% of drivers believe electric cars are too expensive to purchase, while only 21% think EVs are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles. One in five motorists also believes charging away … [Read more...]
Repeat drink‑driving figures shock
More than 2,500 motorists were caught drink-driving three or more times in the last 11 years. RAC analysis uncovered the scale of repeat drink‑driving as more than 150,000 drivers hold alcohol‑related convictions. A Freedom of Information request submitted by the RAC found 2,553 accrued three or more DR10 or DR20 endorsements for drink-driving since 2014. … [Read more...]
EV incentives for renters and flat owners
For a long time, home EV charging has been framed as something reserved for homeowners with driveways and detached houses. If you rented your home or owned a flat, the assumption was that low-cost charging at home simply was not an option. Given that the cost of public charging can be up to 10 x the cost of the lowest domestic charging-specific tariffs, it … [Read more...]
Railway landmark event pulls into Llandudno
The biggest event in the heritage railway world is heading for Llandudno and Transport for Wales will be the headline sponsor. Hundreds of people from historic railways right across the UK are expected in Llandudno during March for the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2026. Considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the heritage rail world, the … [Read more...]
Mileage clocking expected to rise in evs
Government plans for a new mileage-based Electric Vehicle Excise Duty greatly increases the temptation for car clocking, FleetCheck is warning. The proposal replaces lost fuel duty revenue with rates of 3.0 pence per mile for electric vehicles (EVs) and 1.5 for plug-in-hybrids, with mileage checked annually at an MOT station. Peter Golding, CEO at the … [Read more...]
Test changes challenge to learners & cars, says Ageas
Car insurance provider Ageas is predicting a significant shift in how the UK takes its driving tests, as a upcoming DVSA booking overhaul is expected to trigger a surge in “DIY” driving tests. Under the upcoming DVSA reforms, learners will be responsible for booking their own tests, in an attempt to reduce long waiting times and make the system fairer by … [Read more...]
